Mr Julius Konrad Eugen Karlsson

Who was Julius Konrad Eugen Karlsson?

Mr Julius Konrad Eugen Karlsson was a 33 (thirty-three) year-old Swedish engineer and inventor who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 29, 1878, in Norrköping, Sweden, Karlsson was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely death on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Education

What was Karlsson’s background?

Julius Karlsson was born to Anders and Augusta Kristina Karlsson in Norrköping, Östergötland, Sweden. He grew up in a family of modest means, with his father working as a carpenter. Despite financial constraints, Julius was determined to pursue his education and career aspirations.

• Siblings:
  • Judit Cecilia Antonia (b. 1875)
  • Jenny Celinda (b. April 9, 1884)
  • Justus Erik Konstantin (b. 1888)
  • Julia Carolina Elisabet (b. 1900)

How did Karlsson finance his education?

Due to his family’s limited resources, Julius had to fund his own education. This challenge sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success. He developed a keen interest in looms and textile machinery, which would shape his future career path.

Career and Inventions

What were Karlsson’s professional achievements?

Julius Karlsson’s career was marked by innovation and expertise in the textile industry:

1. Studied in Finland for several years
2. Graduated from Lenningska weaving school in Norrköping, Sweden
3. Worked in a textile factory in Vejle, Denmark
4. Became a loom constructor
5. Invented an automatic shuttle changer

His most recent employment before the Titanic voyage was with the Claes Johansson-Marks mechanic workshops in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Personal Life

Was Karlsson married?

Yes, Julius Karlsson married Adelaide Fredrika (née Gran) on February 18, 1910. Adelaide was born on May 27, 1879, in Gothenburg, Sweden. The couple resided at Annielund 5, Krokslätt, Gothenburg, at the time of Karlsson’s fateful journey.

Interestingly, Julius had a child outside of his marriage named Klas Julius Öjvind Hottsberg, who later lived in Oslo. This son was born during Karlsson’s time in Denmark, resulting from a relationship with a shop assistant named Alerine Margerethe Sørensen.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Karlsson traveling to the United States?

Julius Karlsson boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His primary purpose for traveling to the United States was to arrange patent registrations for his inventions. However, evidence suggests he may have been considering a more permanent move:

• His wife later mentioned in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs that she intended to join him in the autumn.
• The trip likely represented both professional ambition and the potential for a new life in America.

What were the details of Karlsson’s ticket?

Fate During the Disaster

Julius Karlsson did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was never recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, leaving his family without closure. As a third-class passenger, Karlsson’s chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class.

Legacy and Financial Aftermath

How did Karlsson’s death impact his family financially?

The sinking of the Titanic had significant financial repercussions for Karlsson’s family:

• The Mansion House Fund provided compensation:

  • 1787.52 Kr (£100) to his wife
  • 875.32 Kr (£48) to his parents
  • 1276.80 Kr (£70) to his mother-in-law

• Additional damage claims were paid on August 28, 1914:

  • Total of 5466 Kr (£300)
  • 2733 Kr to his wife
  • 1966.50 Kr to his father
  • 766.50 Kr to his mother (due to their ongoing divorce)

What unusual memorial resulted from the tragedy?

In a poignant twist of fate, Julius’s mother, Augusta Karlsson, divorced his father Anders Karlsson in 1914 and used part of the damage claims to build a new cottage. This house, located at Karlshof N:o 80, Östra Eneby, Norrköping (now Skördegatan 12), bore an enamel sign reading “Villa Titanic” – a bittersweet tribute to her lost son. Although the house has since been demolished, it stood for years as a unique memorial to Julius Karlsson and the Titanic disaster.

Julius Konrad Eugen Karlsson’s story is a testament to the dreams, ambitions, and tragic fates of many Titanic victims. His legacy lives on through the innovations he left behind and the lasting impact of the Titanic’s sinking on his family and community.